Ross Anson and Baker Sserwadda reporting.....01-Mar-08

Castle United 0

Cranes united 1 (Ismail B. 78')

THERE was a strange atmosphere today. The creperie outside Leytonstone 6th Form college was shut and at 2.30pm there was barely anyone about. Essex Road was so uncrowded that I briefly checked the kick-off time in the paper. People appeared hungover. Davis Lunani came in for Hugo Loketo.

And the goal at the 78th minute was beautiful. Like they had against Glendale, Douglas and Dennis Kirunda suddenly cranked up the speed of play, flashing the ball between each other. Bright Wahab then swang one over very deliberately for Sula who chested it down and laid across Castle United defence to Ismail on his favourite right-foot and slotted home carmly under pressure. Stunning.

But Castel United came back well - partly because they are strong in the air (as Cranes will testify) and partly because our right-hand side appeared determined to hand them chances, Said Kasim the coach.

But before the end of the game another long (but very deliberate) ball from Castle United, Mboma misjudged Jose's pace and somehow the Englishman slipped the ball in when to all the world it looked as if the ball would run in but thanks to the brilliant save from man of the match Allan Elijah.

Cranes later benefited from a return to 4-4-2, with an increased presence in the box and this helped the mighty Cranes who were enjoying a lot of possession and appeared to want to do just enough to win the game. It was important they did not concede one before half-time because Castle pushed them all the way with long balls but the team managed to with stand the pressure until half time. And indeed, they did.

The longer the second half went on, the better Cranes got. The midfield were dominant thanks to a determined Cranes skipper Dennis Kirunda alongside Ivan Ssepuya as they looked more comfortable than in the first half as the only real joy Castle United got all game was from either set-pieces or playing their long balls.

On that note, the pair was excellent, Allan as good as he has been since returning from injury and Fred Kalyango was both a flair player and a foot soldier. Sula was as he is: at times turning and driving forward like a beast past Castle players as they feebled, brittled under the increased pressure from Cranes attacking force.

I suppose part of the reason it stands out is because Alan, Mboma, Sula and Douglas are not just very talented but work like stink too, for example, Geofrey stuck to Castle United defense like glue every time he drifted out wide at goal-kicks and tried to drag the opposition out of shape.

It made life easier for Goalie Allan, not that he needed it. The Cliche was faultless in the second half, good crosses, acurate passing, bombing forward, unbeatable in the tackle and cool as a frozen cucumber when under pressure. Truly exceptional.

Anyway, Cranes United stayed disciplined, nullified Castle and probably should have had more than one. But still, fairly impressive against a side with as many away wins as Cranes and conceded few goals on the road plus still unbeaten at home in the season and still keeping a clean sheet in this game.

We have been utterly spoilt this season. 15 wins and two drawa - an injury time leveller against United that hauled us above them in the table. Not bad at all frankly said Iga Cranes Manager.

We saw the return of the post-game huddle at the end: possibly the cheesiest load of league games ever seen anywhere. But it seems to be working.

The Team: Allan Elijah, Nicholas Seruwu, Eric Mboma, Douglas Mukasa,
Sula Kasule, Hugo Loketo, Dennis M Kirunda, Ismail Kigozi, Bright Wahab,
Fred Kalyango,Geofrey Mugwanya
Sub: Jimmy Kasuku, David Lunani
Manager: Yiga N Matovu
Coach: Kasimu Musa